lapidation

[lap-i-dey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of throwing stones at someone as a form of punishment.

   Any deviation from the norm might be punished by discrimination, torture, lapidation, or death.

2. the act of putting a person or animal to death by pelting them with stones.

   The stained glass near the rear of the church portrays the lapidation of St. Stephen the Martyr.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lapidation¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin lapidātiōn-, stem of lapidātiō “a stoning”; lapidate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

It may well be doubted whether any one had ever been subjected to such overwhelming lapidation as this since the time of the early Christian martyrs.

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Every citizen, with his sons, attended, carrying each two stones under his arms; and, if the accused were found guilty, lapidation instantly followed.

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Writing for the stage, a man would have risked lapidation by uttering a whisper in that direction.

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This custom of lapidation, in token of hate, is an ancient practice, still common in the East.

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It is generally sacrificed immediately after the first lapidation, and we had already been guilty of delay.

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